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Homesteading involves living simply and achieving self-sufficiency, mainly through cultivating and preserving food on a homestead (meaning a house, especially a farmhouse, and outbuildings). It also includes land acquisition, settlement, or occupation under homestead laws.
Historically and globally practiced, homesteading is distinct from communal living due to the relative isolation of the homestead, both socially and physically. Urban homesteading refers to individuals in urban or suburban settings adopting sustainable practices and self-sufficiency by growing their own food, engaging in environmentally friendly habits and minimizing dependence on conventional systems.
Homesteading among Black Americans predates the Homestead Act of 1862. The Act allowed U.S. citizens, including formerly enslaved people and women, to claim up to 160 acres of public land for free if they lived on and improved it for five years. However, Black Americans faced systemic discrimination that hindered their ability to benefit.
Often relegated to less fertile land, they encountered barriers in accessing credit and agricultural support necessary for successful farming. Racial prejudice and violence created a hostile environment, leading to discrimination and threats. Fraud and bureaucratic obstacles also obstructed their land claims.
Skills and knowledge related to homesteading enabled formally enslaved people to forge a semblance of autonomy by cultivating their own supplementary food, raising small livestock, and crafting essential tools and household items. This knowledge continued to assist Black families throughout the Reconstruction era and afterward. While self-sufficient homesteading movements have experienced various revivals in the United States, white Americans mainly led these initiatives.
The Southern Homestead Act of 1866 aimed to provide land for formerly enslaved people in the South. However, it was largely ineffective due to fraud and deep-seated prejudice, allowing former Confederate landowners to reclaim ownership.
This act was a significant step towards reparations and land ownership for the Black community, but its failure to be fully implemented due to systemic issues led to a devastating pattern of Black land loss and diminished agricultural opportunities in the Black community.
“For me, homesteading isn’t resistance—it’s reclamation. The American Dream promoted hustle culture and generational wealth, but many realize that true wealth takes time, and we should build it with joy, not desperation.” — Dr. LaTatia “Rain” Stroud
Black Urban Homesteading
Although exact statistics regarding the recent increase may be difficult to quantify, there is a rising body of anecdotal evidence and heightened visibility concerning Black Americans and families adopting homesteading and self-sufficiency practices. Communities that experience food insecurity or reside in food deserts address these challenges through various initiatives, including establishing community gardens and pursuing urban farming.
Dr. LaTatia Stroud—known by her Choctaw name, Rain Angeni—is an earth steward, writer, multi-genre artist, educator, and founder of Black Tribe, a vibrant community of over 180,000 members committed to self-sufficiency through land, home, and business ownership. She also founded the popular Black Women Homesteading Facebook group and expanded her platform to support the rising interest in homesteading.
Black Tribe offers extensive traditional and urban homesteading resources, including books, video tutorials, and peer-to-peer support. It also provides guidance on property acquisition, including links to U.S. federal agencies that list homes and land for sale. Still, Rain emphasizes that owning land is not required to begin homesteading—a misconception rooted in the word’s historical origin.
“Use community gardening plots, patios, balconies, and indoor spaces,” she advises. “Don’t let a lack of land stop you. Our ancestors were tasked with survival and assimilation. Ancestral trauma—rooted in the inhumane treatment of Black bodies and souls who worked the land and built cities—caused many to disassociate from those painful memories.”
She continues, “The Industrial Revolution, wars, and new technologies drew women into the workforce. Processed foods, fast fashion, and microwave ovens became symbols of success. People planted fewer gardens, and cooking from scratch became less practical. Our ancestors made choices for survival and growth. Some passed down traditional skills—but many didn’t.”
For many Black Americans, adopting a homesteading lifestyle has a deeper and more symbolic meaning. It acts as a form of empowerment and quiet resistance against a historically marginalized system. By living more intentionally and sustainably, they challenge an oppressive system and consumerism and forge a path toward greater independence and self-reliance.
How to Start Homesteading
Before embarking on your homesteading journey, clearly defining your goals and the lifestyle changes is essential. Are you primarily pursuing complete self-sufficiency, a simpler and more intentional way of living, or a combination of both? Consider the practical aspects of your focus: Will you prioritize growing your food, raising livestock, exploring sustainable energy options, or perhaps a blend of these endeavors?
Equally important is a realistic assessment of your current living situation. How can you begin to integrate homesteading practices within your existing space? For many, starting with a backyard garden or participating in local urban homesteading initiatives offers an accessible first step. Conversely, achieving more ambitious self-sufficiency goals might lead to a move to a more rural environment with greater land availability.
This growing interest in a more independent way of life is reflected in the increasing numbers embracing homesteading. The Homesteaders of America, an organization dedicated to promoting an independent agrarian lifestyle, has noted a significant surge in interest since early 2020.
A 2022 poll conducted by the organization revealed that nearly half of its 4,000 members were 39 years old or younger, indicating a strong movement among Millennials and Gen Z toward this way of life. Several key factors are driving this shift, including the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising living costs, concerns about the quality and source of commercially produced food, and broader political considerations.
Despite the initial learning curve, Rain insists homesteading is accessible. “Join a supportive group and start small,” she says. “Homesteading includes so many skills—using renewable resources, sewing, and preserving food. Pick a few and just dive in.”
Concerned about the cost? Rain offers this encouragement, “You’ll save money. Begin by reducing, reusing, and recycling. Repurpose what you already have. Buy discounted produce and practice food preservation—there are so many ways to begin.”
Beyond these initial steps, numerous practical ways exist to build your traditional and urban homesteading skills. Cultivating even a small garden provides fresh produce and imparts invaluable gardening knowledge. Embracing the practice of cooking from scratch using whole, minimally processed foods, free of unnecessary additives, offers both health benefits and significant cost savings.
Developing practical Do-It-Yourself skills, such as repurposing items, tackling basic home repairs, and even attempting simple construction projects, significantly enhances self-reliance.
Volunteering on a local farm or within a community garden provides valuable hands-on experience and fosters connections within the local food system. Finally, actively networking with seasoned homesteaders and attending local classes and workshops are excellent ways to expand your knowledge base and build a supportive community.
The Symbolism in Black Homesteading
Dr. LaTatia “Rain” Stroud holds a bachelor’s in behavioral science, a master’s in human services administration, a second master’s in special education, and a doctorate in curriculum design and educational leadership.
Her work has earned multiple awards, including “Educator of the Year” from the Chicago Chamber of Commerce. In 2010, she founded International Online High School, which combines rigorous college-prep academics with social justice and advocacy. To date, more than 6,200 students have completed classes and gone on to college success. The school also offers K-8th education with a unique program supplying monthly homesteading skills development kits.
Rain’s debut book, “The Green Green Book: The Traveler’s Guide to Black-Owned Homesteads, Farms, Orchards, Vineyards, Foraging Forests, Apiaries, Ranches, and Markets,” is already making waves. Recently nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Nonfiction, “The Green Green Book” is an essential guide highlighting Black agricultural heritage, innovation, and excellence—from historic family farms to modern urban gardens.
More than a travel guide, it celebrates culture, community, and connection. It includes original poetry, historical narratives, and vibrant testimonials. It also features a national directory of Black agricultural organizations, grant resources, and practical steps to apply for a farm number.
“With ‘The Green Green Book,’ we pay homage to Victor Hugo Green’s original Negro Motorist Green Book, which helped Black travelers navigate segregation-era America safely. Our version carries forward that humanitarian spirit,” says Rain. “It’s a must-have for anyone seeking a deeper connection to the land and those who care for it.”
Beyond her work in education and literature, Rain is a dedicated civil rights activist and spiritual advocate for ancestral agricultural traditions. “I respect the earth, the universe, and all living beings,” she says. “I want to explore our symbiotic relationships by staying open to diverse beliefs and practices.”
She’s lived a homesteading lifestyle to varying degrees for most of her life. “As a busy entrepreneur, I focus on practicality—whole foods, composting, and a small patio garden. I reuse and repurpose as much as I can,” she shares.
“For me, homesteading isn’t resistance—it’s reclamation. The American Dream promoted hustle culture and generational wealth, but many realize that true wealth takes time, and we should build it with joy, not desperation.”
Rain believes that nature offers healing. “It quiets anxiety and reminds us that we already have enough,” she says.” We still desire more, which is now grounded in sustainability and well-being. There’s a growing movement to reevaluate what truly matters and reconnect with the earth. I hope more of us embrace that.”
Visit Black Tribe online for events, and online resources related to traditional and urban homesteading and to purchase a copy of “The Green Green Book,” which is also available at your favorite bookstore. You can join the Black Women Homesteading and Black Homesteaders Facebook groups for more information and to begin planning your homesteading lifestyle.
